Curb and Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Program
Curb maintenance and replacement work
Curbs and gutters separate the road from the sidewalk and help direct rainwater into storm drains to prevent flooding.
City staff regularly inspect curbs and gutters to identify any damage. If repairs are needed, they are scheduled based on when the issue was reported and how serious it is. This work is planned each spring.
If a larger capital reconstruction project is already planned in the same area, the repair will be completed as part of that project instead.
Repair work typically takes place between May and October. Requests received between June and October are usually scheduled for the following year.
Sidewalk maintenance and replacement work
Each year, the City inspects 1,300 kilometres of sidewalks for damage. Sidewalk repairs are then prioritized based on how severe and how old the damage is.
Sidewalks are replaced when there is serious damage, such as large areas of crumbling concrete, sunken sections where water pools or major cracks, gaps or height differences of more than five centimetres could pose a tripping hazard.
Smaller height differences, between two and five centimetres, are repaired by grinding the sidewalk to create a smoother, safer surface. This work is done through the City’s annual sidewalk grinding program.
In some cases, larger road or sidewalk reconstruction projects may already be planned for the same area. When this happens, smaller repair requests may be completed as part of the larger construction project instead.
Repair work typically takes place between May and October. Requests received between June and October are typically scheduled for replacement in the following year.
To request curb or sidewalk maintenance, please contact Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281. You may also make requests online:
What to expect during sidewalk or curb replacement work
As crews undertake sidewalk or curb replacement work, you may notice paint markings to indicate areas for upcoming replacement. A door hanger will be delivered two to six weeks before work begins, explaining what work is planned. Please note that these timelines are estimates and may change due to weather, construction delays or utility checks.
If you receive this notice, please remove any items located on City property, such as planters, sprinklers, landscaping or lighting. A second door hanger will be delivered 24 to 72 hours before work begins.
The work usually takes about 10 business days and generally follows these steps:
- Crews cut around the sidewalk or curb that needs to be removed. You may notice some wet concrete residue left on the surface after the cuts are made.
- The damaged concrete is removed. During this time, driveway access may be limited. Residents in the area may experience noise, dust and construction equipment driving through the area.
- Once the concrete is removed, wooden forms will be set in place to shape the new sidewalk or curb. After this step, crews will leave the site.
- Crews will return to pour new concrete. Concrete trucks and multiple workers will be on site during this stage. The concrete will need time to cure and some splatter may occur on nearby boulevards.
- After the concrete has set, crews will install the first layer of asphalt where needed, which may include parts of the road or driveway. This will restore driveway access, but there may be a small dip (about five centimetres) where the asphalt meets the new concrete. Crews will also cut joints in the sidewalk to help prevent cracking, which may create some dust. Topsoil will be placed around the new sidewalk or curb during this stage.
- Finally, crews will return to add the final layer of asphalt, restore grass areas with topsoil and seed or sod, and complete final cleanup. Please note: Sod will not be installed when temperatures are consistently above 20 °C to help ensure it survives. In some cases, sod installation may be delayed until the fall.
Safety considerations
The health and safety of residents and workers are paramount to the City. To ensure your safety, residents are asked not to enter the work zone or approach heavy equipment or operators. If you would like to speak to someone on site, please look for the designated Municipal Service Inspector or City representative. They will typically be wearing a white hard hat. You may also call Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The City carries out work on City‑owned roads, sidewalks and curbs to keep them safe and in good condition. This work is scheduled based on City inspections, the annual sidewalk and curb review or concerns raised by residents.
Even if you did not request the work, it may have been identified as necessary to address safety issues or prevent further damage.
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For each project, the City delivers two door hangers to every home located within about 15 metres of the work area. Unfortunately, door hangers can sometimes be missed or removed before residents have a chance to see them.
Due to the large amount of construction work happening across the city each year, City staff are unable to speak directly with every affected homeowner before work begins. The City makes every effort to provide advance notice, but we recognize that not everyone may receive it.
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No. The City will temporarily suspend overnight street parking enforcement on streets affected by this work until driveway access is restored. However, all regular parking rules still apply. Vehicles must not be parked:
- In areas with posted parking restrictions
- Within 9 metres of an intersection
- Within 3 metres of a fire hydrant
- Within 0.6 metres of a private driveway
Cars must also be parked with the passenger‑side wheels within 15 centimetres (six inches) of the curb. Please note that while overnight enforcement may be waived, this does not exempt vehicles from other parking infractions.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services at 905-832-2281.
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For streets with limited on‑street parking, the City will temporarily suspend parking enforcement on a nearby street. The alternate street approved for parking will be identified on the door hanger you receive.
This helps ensure residents have a place to park while driveway access is temporarily unavailable.
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If you believe you received a ticket in error after following the parking instructions provided, please contact Service Vaughan and staff will review the ticket and, where appropriate, arrange for it to be cancelled.
Please note that tickets cannot be waived if:
- the vehicle was parked on a street not listed on the door hanger, or
- the ticket was issued for other parking violations, such as parking too close to a fire hydrant, intersection, driveway or in a no‑parking zone.
Only tickets related to overnight parking restrictions on approved streets can be reviewed for reversal.
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Driveway access is typically restored within 10 business days of the start of construction. While crews may not be on site every day during this period, additional steps are still required to complete the work safely.
We appreciate your patience while this work is being completed.
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After an inspection, some concerns may not meet the City’s repair or replacement criteria at that time. However, conditions can change and worsen over time. If this happens, residents are encouraged to submit a new concern to Service Vaughan for reassessment.
In some cases, an issue is confirmed as valid but cannot be scheduled during the current construction season. These locations are recorded and prioritized for future repair work, often in the following year.
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The City requires contractors to keep work areas as clean and safe as possible. However, some debris, dust or disruption may be unavoidable while construction is underway.
A final cleanup of the work area will be completed before the sidewalk is reopened to the public. This includes removing construction debris and restoring the area once the work is finished.
If the work is complete and you still have concerns about cleanliness or damage, please contact Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281 so staff can review the issue and follow up with the contractor if needed.
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Utility cables, such as internet and phone lines, are often buried at shallow depths within the City’s right‑of‑way. Because of this, excavation work may sometimes damage these cables, even when care is taken.
City contractors make every effort to avoid damaging underground services. However, if your internet or phone service is disrupted, you will need to contact your internet or cable service provider directly to arrange repairs.
Please note that the City is not able to contact service providers on behalf of residents.
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City construction work takes place on City‑owned property. Items such as sprinkler systems, landscape lighting, decorative features and plantings installed within this area are considered encroachments under the City’s Road Allowance By‑law (PDF).
While City contractors make every effort to avoid damage, the City cannot guarantee that items located on City property will not be affected during construction.
If damage occurs to private property that is not located on City property, residents may submit a claim by emailing claimservices@vaughan.ca or by contacting Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281 for assistance with the process.
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To complete sidewalk or curb repairs, the City must excavate about 0.7 metres on either side of the work area. This often requires removing and replacing a small portion of the driveway or driveway apron that is located within the City’s right‑of‑way.
New asphalt may look different in colour or texture than the existing asphalt. This is normal and occurs because the materials are new. The City replaces only the portion of the driveway affected by the work and does not resurface the full driveway or apron to achieve a uniform appearance.
This approach is a standard practice used by the City of Vaughan and most municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area.
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The City is not able to guarantee changes to the construction schedule to accommodate special events or private driveway work. Construction timelines depend on many factors, including crew availability, weather and co-ordination with other nearby projects.
However, we encourage residents to share this information with Service Vaughan as soon as possible. While adjustments cannot be guaranteed, staff will review your request and help where they can.
If you are planning to pave your driveway or make other modifications, we recommend scheduling that work around the City’s anticipated construction timeline to avoid rework or delays.
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Yes. If construction work is preventing safe or necessary access to your home, please contact Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281 as soon as possible. The City will work to arrange a temporary access solution, such as a ramp or expedite restoration work, where feasible, to help maintain essential access.
Each situation is reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis, and the City will do its best to support residents with accessibility needs during construction.
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If construction work is preventing access to your driveway and you rely on at‑home charging for an electric vehicle, please contact Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281 as soon as possible.
Where feasible, the City will work to provide a temporary solution, such as a ramp or temporary gravel access, to help restore access to your driveway so you can safely charge your vehicle. Each situation is reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis, and the City will do its best to assist.
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Waste collection will continue as usual during the construction period.
Residents are asked to place bins and bags on the street or as close to the street as possible, without putting them inside the construction area. If construction crews are on site, they will help move bins as needed. If no crews are present, collection staff will do their best to complete pick‑up.
If you experience any issues with waste collection during construction, please contact Service Vaughan at service@vaughan.ca or 905-832-2281 for assistance.